Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

An In Vitro Approach to Study Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Cybrid Model
Published on: March 9, 2022
Nuclear inheritance of a gene affecting mitochondrial gene expression
Z A Sherif1, L M Jefferson, C D Whitfield-Broome
1Howard University College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Washington, D.C. 20059, USA.
Abstract:
Due to a deficiency in mitochondrial protein synthesis, Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cell mutant Gal- 32 does not grow in galactose or fructose. This report examines the nuclear or cytoplasmic inheritance of this single, recessive mutation. In a control experiment, fusion of Gal+TGSTK- cells with Gal- 32TGRTK+ cells resulted in tetraploid hybrids (as verified by karyotyping) that were selected in hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine medium. The majority (2/3) of the control hybrids grew in galactose as expected since Gal+ is dominant over Gal-. Fusion of Rhodamine 6-G treated Gal+TGSTK- cells with Gal- 32TGRTK+ cells resulted in Rhodamine 6-G-tetraploid hybrids that were selected in hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine medium. The majority (7/12) of the Rhodamine 6-G-hybrids grew in galactose as expected for a nuclearly encoded gene considering that Rhodamine 6-G interferes with transmission of mtDNA but not nuclear DNA. Therefore, these results are compelling in their demonstration of the nuclear origin of the Gal- 32 mutation.
Related Concept Videos
Non-nuclear Inheritance
Non-nuclear Inheritance
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Inheritance
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype traits...

